Long faces for Longhorns

The Oklahoma-Texas Red River Rivalry is always billed as a matchup of national-championship contenders, but Texas’ 34-12 loss to UCLA took some sizzle out of Saturday’s showdown in Dallas.

Two days after his Longhorns suffered their first home loss since 2007, Mack Brown gave a concise diagnosis on the stunning defeat.

“The biggest thing was they lined up and blocked us,” Brown said. “We missed 18 tackles and made about as many mistakes when we lined up. UCLA was more ready to play than we were.”

Mostly running out of the pistol formation, the Bruins bullied the usually impenetrable Texas defense for 264 rushing yards, while Brown’s supposed new and improved running game was barely a factor.

Preseason promises of more under-center snaps and between-the-tackle runs have vanished as Texas has retreated to the spread, shotgun formations of the Colt McCoy era. But the Horns still can’t cobble together a functional running game: For the season, they’re averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. Even worse, against the Bruins, UT lost four fumbles.

But Texas’ second-half struggles on defense were no less troubling.

“I didn’t think anybody gave UCLA the respect they deserve because they’ve got really good players, and I think they’re about to turn the corner and get better,” Brown said. “And I thought we sat around on defense and heard how great we played against” Texas “Tech, and we have not seen a team line up and run it right at us. And they did a tremendous job of it.”

And now, it’s Red River time. Oklahoma is an early four-point favorite.

MISSOURI UPDATE

After meeting with team surgeon Pat Smith and Missouri’s medical staff yesterday, backup cornerback Munir Prince has decided to end his playing career in light of a devastating collision that left him with temporary paralysis on Aug. 26.

“He’s going to live a happy, normal life just like anybody else,” Coach Gary Pinkel said. “But just the risk of him getting hit again, they didn’t think it would be very wise from a medical standpoint.”

Prince transferred to MU from Notre Dame after the 2007 season, and, after sitting out 2008 per NCAA transfer rules, he played mostly on special teams in 2009, making six tackles and returning three kickoffs.

After a bye week, Missouri will play host to Colorado on Oct. 9. The game will start at 6 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

Huskers humbled

The magic act wasn’t so dazzling for Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez in Saturday’s sluggish 17-3 win over South Dakota State. Hailed as “T-Magic” during his 3-0 start, the redshirt freshman was more “T-Marginal” against the FCS Jackrabbits. Martinez lost a fumble on his first play from scrimmage, tossed a pair of interceptions and completed less than half his pass attempts. And after a 33-yard scramble — he ran 13 times for 75 yards — Martinez was penalized for taunting when he tossed the ball into a defender’s face mask.

But Huskers Coach Bo Pelini’s concerns extended past his quarterback.

“There was no attention to detail,” Pelini said.

Still ranked No. 6 in The AP Poll, the Huskers have a bye this weekend before a Thursday night game at Kansas State on Oct. 7. Pelini said Saturday’s struggles came at “the perfect time.”

TRIBUNE POWER POLL

Nebraska (4-0)

Oklahoma (4-0)

Texas (3-1)

Missouri (4-0)

Oklahoma State (3-0)

Kansas State (4-0)

Texas Tech (2-1)

Texas A&M (3-0)

Baylor (3-1)

Colorado (2-1)

Kansas (2-2)

Iowa State (2-2)

GAME OF THE WEEK

Saturday

Oklahoma vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)

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